"What makes me optimistic is our younger generation - a generation passionate about driving change, a generation committed to leaving the place better than they found it."

Michelle Obama

“I’m optimistic about the future. There are some bright young people out there doing some amazing things. This is why I’m not going to run for president. Because I think it’s a better investment to invest in creating thousands of mes.”

David Spence

“I’m optimistic that the next generation will be much smarter than the baby boomers. From management of natural resources to new productive ideas they are already proving themselves.”

MareeTimms, Robotics Teacher

"Working with young people makes me optimistic. I never underestimate their drive, passion and tenacity when it comes to solving problems. The future is in good hands."

Roqia Hashimi, Student, Shepparton High School

“Be optimistic and positive! First, know yourself: Without knowing your strengths and weaknesses it’s pointless. Be patient: Life has its ups and downs you can’t get to the top straight away. Falling down and picking yourself up helps you learn what helps you to rise with confidence.”

“The future lies in the hands of the younger generation and that gives me huge cause for optimism. Wherever I go in the world, the young people I meet are engaged with the issues and challenges we face and focussed on finding solutions. Above all, they are driven by a deep sense of purpose. They may only represent 50% of today, but fortunately young people are 100% of tomorrow, and that is reason to celebrate”.

Sherilyn Hansen

“I am optimistic for the future because of the strength of character and commitment in young people. They are passionate, driven to create change but not at all costs - they will find the balance between economic good and social good and have a range of technology tools they have grown up with to help them get achieve their vision.”

Ryan
Bowler, Drama Teacher

“I am optimistic
about the future that our younger citizens will shape because I see their
optimism and hope on a daily basis."

Bronwyn Leigh Jones, President, Coral Sustainable Services

“I am optimistic that our youth will nurture our planet back to good health. I am optimistic that our earth is surely in good hands with these bright, courageous souls guiding its evolution now and for the future.”

PatrickBolton, Student, Goulburn Valley Grammar School

“What makes me optimistic? The knowledge that only I can decide whether I will be outworked or outsmarted. I have that choice.”

Khayshie Tilak Ramesh, Victoria’s Multicultural Youth Commissioner

"I am optimistic about the unknown. When we face uncertainty or the unknown, we have a choice to be afraid of what it entails or excited for the possibilities that it brings. I like to choose the latter - to be an optimist!"⁠

Patrick Moore, President, Australian Institute of
International Affairs

“The Case for optimism? Our Youth; many of which are fantastic.”

David Grieve, 5-dimensionz

“Leadership is essential in all levels of society, and some of the young people today have shown enormous goodwill and energy to provide service to those less fortunate than themselves.”

Keri Pratt

"Effective leadership is knowing when to listen and when to act and constantly fine-tuning the two. I am optimistic that this balance is achievable and that there are many younger people who display this understanding."

Greg Graham, Founder of The Nest Consultancy

"What makes me optimistic is when I coach and mentor young people and see their talent and confidence grow. Training, nurturing and developing young talent is a passion and it’s wonderful to see people blossom and evolve. It inspires me to do more and help as many people as possible along the way. Giving back and doing good is good."

Barack Obama

"When sometimes I feel despair, I just see what’s happening with young people all across the country and the talent and the voice and the sophistication that they’re displaying, and it makes me feel optimistic. It makes me feel as if this country is going to get better."

“My optimism comes from the fact that we have the smartest, most educated generations coming up behind us and there is great contest of ideas and exciting growth and innovation from the growing middle classes in Asia and Africa. Borders mean something different to our children and the idea of the “ global citizen” is not theoretical anymore. I love that this change has largely been implemented without war or bloodshed but through ideas and communication.”

Stuart Allinson, Board Member ,Climate Change Authority

"I am continually impressed by this generation's ability to filter a vast amount of data, remove the noise and focus on the things that matter. Our generation had far fewer degrees of freedom to triangulate. The inter-generational constant is "glass half full vs glass half empty. Optimistic people are no more or less lucky than the rest of the population - they are more open to the possibilities that occur every day."

MarkJ Bailey, Scientist

"Despite not having children, the youth of today make me optimistic. My case for optimism about a lot of things that people often seem pessimistic about is that by all metrics these things seem to be getting better: Crime, social justice etc. And what we can't fix will be fixed by the leaders of tomorrow, my nieces and nephews, my friends' children..."

Professor Raja Guha Thakurta, Astronomer at the UCO/Lick Observatory

“My optimism arises from the tremendous qualities I see in the young people I interact with. They are intelligent, passionate, motivated, hardworking, dedicated, ... ... they are capable of rising to meet any and every challenge. Our generation of adults has a responsibility of engaging youth in our work, sharing our passion and vision with them, and, equally importantly, learning about their passion and vision. It is clear to me that the future is in very good hands. We adults simply need to work with youth today to ensure that tomorrow's handover is a smooth one.”(in "Optimism: The How and Why")

Vivien Gardiner, MD, Erase Aesthetic Services Group

The case for optimism lies in the young people of today, who are internet natives. They are not so bound, as their parents have been, by class, education, nationality, tradition. Their worldview and opportunities are expanded and their future, while challenging, is not so constrained by limited physical and social environments. Their communities cross many boundaries. They are cognisant of their own agency and of their "horizontal brotherhood". They have a heightened awareness of power structures and know how to avoid them if they choose to. Future adults will be more solutions-focused. They know the status quo isn't always to their benefit and that they have the power to resist it.”

Matthew Guy, Former Leader of the Liberal Party in the Victorian Parliament

“I’m very optimistic because I see Australian kids are vastly smarter, vastly more confident and vastly more ingenious than any generation we've ever seen. We should be confident about these young people and their ability to lead Australia better and differently in the decades ahead. I don't think my children's generation will be a pale imitation of mine or my parents' generation. I reckon they'll be something completely different. That's exciting!”

Hello to all our new followers @queenscomtrust. So glad you are with us. Stick around for news of young people doing awesome things to make the world a better place. Optimism, hope, action. It's all here. It's cool. Welcome to #TeamQCThttps://t.co/z0Zx1jLE9q